Choosing where to begin your legal career is one of the most important decisions you'll make. In this series, our trainee solicitors share their experiences of life at Porter Dodson, offering practical advice, insights into the training contract journey and an honest perspective on developing a career in law. Whether you're considering applying for a training contract, exploring paralegal opportunities or preparing for the SQE route to qualification, these first-hand stories provide valuable guidance from those who have recently been in your position.
From Trainee to Newly Qualified Solicitor
I qualified as a solicitor into Porter Dodson’s family department in September 2025, having undertaken my training contract at the firm between September 2023 and the date of my qualification. I primarily work in the matrimonial finances team, but also undertake private children work, and assist the childcare team by advocating for our clients at public law hearings.
I was fortunate to get to experience a range of different seats across my two years of training, book-ended by seats in the family department, and was supported and encouraged to pursue my interest in litigation and advocacy.
Making the transition to qualification
Qualifying into the family department was a seamless process, especially as I spent my last six months training in the team, working closely alongside lawyers in our Yeovil office and beyond. In particular, as my training contract progressed, and upon returning to the family department, I was given the opportunity to begin to adopt my own files on a supervised basis, whilst continuing to support my colleagues with their matters. This meant that upon qualification I had already been able to develop client-facing skills and had the chance to tailor advice, whilst building a rapport with the members of my team, external lawyers and my own clients.
Developing confidence through experience
It was particularly useful that I experienced a range of matters at various different stages, from initial meetings, to contested hearings, and I often accompanied members of the team, or external Counsel, to hearings and client meetings.
I have now been qualified for over a year and have enjoyed building up my body of work to a very good level, without ever having felt overwhelmed (or under-worked). The team have continued to support me throughout, and the level of supervision has always felt like the right balance which has more often than not come about quite organically.
Perhaps the most reassuring thing as a young lawyer with a lot of questions has been the continuous dialogue between my colleagues and me about specific issues which arise, as well as our matters in general. I am surrounded by experienced family lawyers, partners in the firm, but have never felt unable to ask a question, and they ask me questions and seek my input regarding their matters too. The collaborative way the team works, be that through sharing the workload, or simply always being available for a chat, has always left me feeling reassured and confident.
Lessons I've learned along the way
Indeed, the necessity of asking questions, or acknowledging when you do not know the answer but that you will find out, is something which, in my experience, will never go away; across my training contract and since I have qualified, this has been one of my biggest takeaways, and I have always been supported (and support others) in this continuing endeavour.
Finally, it would be remiss of me not to mention the great social side of the firm. My department, our Yeovil office, and the firm as a whole is a great place to work, with lots of opportunities to get involved: a team of us recently returned from the rather bruising, but fun, Law Society tag Rugby 7’s tournament in London (although you don’t have to be a sportsperson)!
Will Doherty, Newly Qualified Solicitor
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